Specific targeting of reactive astrocytes using Nestin-Cre mice. (A) In contrast with the mouse strains Nestin-EGFP(A) and Nestin-EGFP(B), the Nestin-CCE mouse is characterized by the absence of any notable fluorescence in the spinal cord of sham-operated animals, even surrounding the central canal lodging stem/progenitor cells. Bars: (first and third columns) 500 µm; (second and fourth columns) 200 µm. (B) In contrast, GFAP⁺- and Nestin⁺-reactive astrocytes that surround the lesion are easily identified by strong EGFP fluorescence in the spinal cord of Nestin-CCE mice (sagittal sections), indicating that Nestin-CCE mice undergo specific genetic labeling of reactive astrocytes. Asterisks, lesion center. Bars: (first column) 500 µm; (second column) 200 µm. Refer to Materials and methods for descriptions of the three mouse strain.